You can find quality even where there is no famous name.īlacking is acceptable on barrels and furniture. The stock finish needs re-applying and the gun needs re-jointing. Being critical, the chequer has been re-cut and not to the standard I would deem satisfactory (a common problem). It was owned from new by one family and not been abused or radically altered. The firm was, and remains, well known and respected as a maker and someone will find being able to say “I have a Churchill’ an attractive proposition more so than “I have a Midland Gun Co” but less than “I have a Purdey”.įor its age, the Churchill is in decent shape, having undergone some refurbishment in the recent past.
Therefore, the Churchill will have a good brand value.
The pricing calculation is that identical guns carrying the name of a maker in the top tier to the fourth tier will graduate downwards in market value (not quality). Every other gunmaker currently fits into the fourth tier. If we place Purdey, Holland & Holland, Woodward and Boss at the top tier (which demand suggests is the case) and a second tier of Grant, Atkin, Churchill, Lang, Greener, Dickson, MacNaughton, Westley Richards and Lancaster, a third tier would include Beesley, Hellis, Watson Bros, Boswell, William Powell, Pape, Gibbs and W&C Scott. If everyone thinks a Stephen Grant is worth more than a Charles Hellis, because Stephen Grant is a ‘better’ maker, then put two identical guns on the table at identical prices and the Grant will sell quicker and is also likely to sell if the price is higher. Although factually inaccurate, the ‘brand value’ idea is a self-fulfilling prophesy. Therefore their guns are more desirable and worth more. There persists in the market the idea that some makers were ‘better’ than others. The full coverage fine scroll engraving and the quality of fit and finish show it to be a very high quality boxlock.īrand value is a much-debated issue. This model had no name but was the precursor to the Hercules. Further investigation shows that it cost £60 when new about 80% of the cost of a best sidelock.
We know it was made in 1902 because the serial number can be checked against the records. The gun is what would have been the best quality boxlock offered by Churchill at the time of manufacture.
I love boxlocks – but can you spot a good one? I looked at one recently for a customer. I was recently offered an interesting boxlock and the process I went through may be of interest to readers considering a purchase of their own. I am often asked how I approach a gun for sale in order to determine whether it is worth buying.
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